Pungent and heating, black pepper is useful for digestion, cough, worms,promoting healthy lungs and heart. It has a host of health benefits and is therefore used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine. Health benefits include improving appetite and digestion, relieving gas and congestion, facilitating weight loss and enhancing immunity. Black pepper has been found to contain iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, chromium, vitamins A and C, and other nutrients.

Research shows that black pepper can increase the assimilation of the compound curcumin (found in turmeric) twentyfold. Curcumin helps fight cancer, infection, and inflammation.

Black pepper powder is usually added to savoury dishes after cooking, otherwise volatile oils tend to evaporate and diminish its flavour. Freshly ground black pepper has the most flavour.

Home Remedies

For indigestion and heaviness in your stomach, take a glass of buttermilk mixed with one-quarter teaspoon each of black pepper and cumin powder.

OR

To get relief from indigestion, mix equal quantities of ground black pepper, dry ginger and rock Salt. Add 1/3 teaspoon of this mixture to a glass of buttermilk and consume it.

To clear congestion and phlegm drink a glass of warm water with ½ teaspoon black pepper 2-3 times a day before meals.

For hoarseness of voice, take ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder and 1 teaspoon of melted warm ghee after food.

For cough take 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon honey after food.

To treat pus in the gums, take finely powdered black pepper, mix with salt and massage over the gums.

For muscular pains, take a tablespoon of black pepper powder fried in sesame oil for some time. Apply this on the painful areas.

To get relief from toothache, boil a tablespoon of black pepper in 1 cup of water, cool and strain it and use the water to gargle.

For weight loss, take a cup of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey and a 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper powder 2-3 times a day.

To increase appetite, consume 1 tablespoon of jaggery mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper everyday before meals or with the first morsel of food.

Healthy Living: GingerBy Renu Gulati

Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) is one of the most ancient and sattvic among
herbs and is grown all over India throughout the year. It is referred
to as maha aushadhi (great medicine). In Sanskrit it is also called
vishwabhesaj (the universal medicine). A Sanskrit sloka likens
ginger to a lion and all diseases to small animals which run away and
disappear when the lion appears.

Fresh ginger root is pungent and heating and has an alkaline effect on
the body. Although it balances all doshas, pitta individuals should use
it in moderation, Dry ginger on the other hand is pungent and heating.
Those with excess body heat are advised to take fresh ginger rather
than dry ginger (sunthi) and that too in moderation. It is also
advisable to consume less ginger in the hot summers.

Both types of ginger kindle digestive fire and improve digestion,
absorption and assimilation of food. Ginger can improve circulation,
relieve congestion, help break down blood clots and may aid in
preventing heart attacks. It is a good home remedy for common cold,
cough and breathlessness. Fresh ginger increases immunity. It is a keen
stimulant for the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems and helps
to revitalise sluggish circulation and remove dullness and inertia.

Chewing a small quantity of adraka with salt before meals is good for
health. It enhances digestive fire, taste perception and purifies the
tongue and throat. Chewing adrak is not advisable in diseases like
leprosy, anaemia, dysuria, bleeding diseases, ulcers, fevers and
burning sensation.

Home remedies

To improve digestion take a 1cm piece of ginger with salt just before a meal or eat it with the first morsel of food.

For respiratory problems lick a teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with
honey or make a herbal tea by simmering fresh or dry ginger with equal
quantities of black pepper and tulsi.

Hot ginger tea is useful in bringing on a delayed menstrual period and
in relieving menstrual cramps. Take 1cm of ginger and boil in a cup of
water till the liquid is golden brown.

A mixture of 1 tsp each of fresh ginger juice and lime juice after food
aids digestion and relieves excess gas, constipation and lower
abdominal pain.

Rubbing a little fresh ginger around the belly button will help stop diarrhea and abdominal pain

A mixture of 1 tsp each of fresh ginger juice and honey taken 2-3 times a day helps relieve sinus congestion

For cold cough congestion and flu symptoms, make a cup of tea with 1 tsp each of dry ginger, cinnamon and fennel

A mixture of 1 tsp each of ginger juice and lime juice and 2 pinches of
rocksalt relieves hoarseness of the voice, chest pain, wheezing and
coughing

An application of ½ tsp dry ginger powder paste made with dry ginger
and water applied on the forehead helps a sinus headache. Hot bodied
individuals should be careful as it may cause a slight burning of the
skin. Always wash the area after treatment.

Homemade ginger ale is a delicious and nutritious drink. Wash and cut a
medium sized piece of ginger. Simmer it with a glass of water until the
water is reduced by half and is a dark yellow colour. When cool, strain
out the ginger. Add sugar or honey to taste. If needed add water.

Healthy Living: TurmericBy Renu Gulati

As
one of the most widely researched spices, turmeric has been found to
have antioxidant, antibiotic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal,
anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric
(Curcuma longa) belongs to the Ginger Family (Zingiberaceae).
Known as Haldi in Hindi and Haridra in Sanskrit, it is native to
Southern Asia and requires a temperature of 20-30 degrees centigrade
and a good amount of rainfall to survive. It is harvested annually for
its rhizome. The rhizomes are boiled and dried before they are
ground into a powder. Fresh turmeric root looks a little like ginger
but inside it can be red or yellow. The red is called kumkum and is
considered sacred. Only the yellow root is used in cooking and
medicinally. It is a potent medicinal spice that is used in the kitchen
regularly and almost in every kind of food in India. It is also used in
many religious ceremonies in one form or other.

Turmeric is pungent, bitter, dry and
heating. It bestows colour, cures diseases of the skin, is helpful in
diabetes, diseases of the blood, dropsy, anaemia and ulcers.

As one of the most widely researched spices, turmeric has been found to
have antioxidant, antibiotic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal,
anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps digestion,
maintains the balance of intestinal flora, reduces gas and has tonic
properties. It is recommended in the treatment of indigestion, poor
circulation, cough, chest congestion, skin disorders, diseases of the
blood diabetes, anaemia, ulcers and for the healing of wounds and
bruises.

The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin or diferuloyl
methane, which laboratory studies have shown does have anticancer
effects on cancer cells. A phase I clinical trial looked at giving
curcumin to 25 patients with precancerous changes in different organs.
This study seemed to show that curcumin could stop the precancerous
changes becoming cancer. Research has also shown that there are low
rates of certain types of cancer in countries where people eat curcumin
at levels of about 100mg to 200mg a day over long periods of time.
However, there is still no conclusive research evidence to show that
turmeric or curcumin can prevent or treat cancer.

Home Remedies

For bronchial cough, dry sore
throat, tonsillitis and pharyngitis, cold and chest congestion, boil 1
teaspoon of turmeric with 1 cup of milk for 3 minutes and drink at
bedtime.

Gargle with warm turmeric water 2-3 times a day to relieve a sore throat

For external haemorrhoids, apply a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of ghee locally at bedtime.

For swollen gums, apply turmeric directly to the affected area of the mouth.

Turmeric is good for the eyes,
especially for conjunctivitis and sore eyes. Bring to a boil 1 teaspoon
of turmeric in a cup of water. Strain through a muslin cloth and wash
the eyes regularly with this liquid or apply a gauze soaked with this
water on the eyes.

A poultice of turmeric paste with
ghee or oil applied hot is an effective treatment for sprains, bruises
wounds and inflammatory troubles of the joints

Turmeric taken with an equal amount of amla powder or fresh amla juice and honey can be used in the treatment of diabetes.

Turmeric can be used externally on
the skin for a radiant and smooth complexion and for the treatment of
pimples. Turmeric ubtan or scrubs have been traditionally used to
beautify brides at Indian weddings.

A pickle made with fresh Turmeric
in the winter season boosts immunity. Cut the Turmeric into thin long
pieces and add lemon juice and salt.

High Energy and Protein Dietary Advice for People with Cancer By Liz Bradley & Joanna Grey

Liz
and Jo are both dieticians working at Addenbrookes Hospital in
Cambridge, UK. Both have had specialised experience working with
people suffering from cancer. Liz and Jo are Rama Foundation volunteers.

Many people with cancer find there are times when they cannot eat as much as usual and they may lose weight.

People
that lose weight when they are unwell tend to lose muscle rather than
fat and this can make you feel weaker, be more prone to infections and
can make it more difficult to cope with any cancer treatments.

Eating a
high energy and protein diet will help you to avoid losing weight,
helps your body to re-build damaged tissues, fight infection, and cope
with the side effects of illness. If you are not eating as well as you
would normally, the following tips may help you to eat more. Although
you may have previously been restricting the fat or sugar in your diet
to manage other medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood
pressure, this is less relevant now that you have cancer.

Eat “little and often”

Try to
include snacks between meals and before bed. Keeping snacks at easy
reach may help you to eat more often. Here are some snack ideas:

Useful tips:
Try not to get out of the habit of eating. You actually need to eat to stimulate your appetite.
Make the most of the times you feel like eating.
Don’t worry if it isn’t “normal‟ foods at “normal‟ times.
Experiment with different foods. You may find that you like things you don’t usually eat.
Accept offers from friends and relatives to help with cooking and shopping.
Sometimes the smell of food will be appetising while at other times it
may put you off. If this happens, try to keep away from the kitchen
while food is being prepared, or eat cold foods, which often have less
smell.
Avoid drinking with meals as this may fill you up and spoil your appetite.

Fortify your food:
If you are only eating small portions the following tips may help you
to get more calories without necessarily having to eat more food. Start
by buying full fat foods.

Fortified Milk: Add
2tablespoons of milk powder to 1 cup of full cream milk. This can be
used in the usual way in drinks, on cornflakes/dalia, in making mithai.

Artika
Datta who has a B.Sc. Honours in Nutrition and an M.Sc. in Dietetics
from King’s College, London works at Addenbrookes hospital at
Cambridge. Artika specialises in Motor Neuron Disease and has a
particular interest in palliative care in which she is actively
involved.

Available in liquid form, soups, powders, and other consistencies such as puddings

Tips for Combating Common Dietary Problems in Cancer

Patients
with advanced stage cancer often suffer from a number of problems which
adversely affect their intake and digestion of food. Dietician Artika
Datta has outlined some simple remedies to help deal with these
distressing symptoms.

Constipation

If the constipation is due to medicines that you are taking (such as
painkillers or anti-sickness drugs) you will need to take laxatives

Difficulty in Chewing or Swallowing

Soft or puree foods will be easier

Adding sauces and gravies to every day foods may be enough to help

If you need a puree consistency, blend every day foods using extra milk
or creamy sauces to help make smoother consistency

Puree different foods separately so that they can be tasted e.g. keep
vegetables all separate

Eating Well with
a Feeding Tubeby Deep Shikha

Deep Shikha has worked
as a dietitian with the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer
Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, since
2012. She has a M.Sc in food and nutrition,
and a P.G Diploma in Dietetics, food and
nutrition.

Dietician Deep
Shikha

Cancer patients often tend to
have poor nutrition and low body weight. Dietitian
Deep Shika discusses how patients can maintain
a healthy diet, even with a naso-gastric feeding
tube.

Nasogastric tube (NG) feeding,
or "Ryles tube feeding", as it is generally
known, is not uncommon in head and neck cancer
patients. When a malignancy is such that it prevents
swallowing of food through the mouth, a feeding
tube becomes necessary to maintain nutritional
levels in the body. Working as a dietitian in
a cancer institute which sees thousands of patients
from all over India is a challenge and often involves
providing wholesome nutrition to patients who
are on NG tube. These patients are facing emotional
upheaval and physical discomfort at the same time.
While in other hospitals, patients may come with
a fever or a fractured bone and are optimistic
of their return to good health, in a cancer hospital,
when patients come to know of their diagnosis,
they frequently break down emotionally and are
overcome with the fear of death.

A Ryles tube is not a very
convenient thing to have. The liquefied food needs
to be given slowly through the tube over a number
of hours as, if the feed is given quickly, it
can flow into the gullet which is very unpleasant
and makes the patient feel sick. Also, the patient's
attendant's movement tends to become restricted
during the feeding. For this reason, many attendants
prefer to give the feed overnight so that they
can move about in the day time.

Generally, a light vegetable
broth of carrots, beetroot, beans, washed daal
and broken wheat is nutritious. The ingredients
are boiled and blended, and water and salt are
added to taste. Often the mixture has some butter
added at the end. A curd feed, thinned with water
and a little sugar is also a good option. For
diabetics, the same can be given with salt instead
of sugar. For those who prefer khichri feed, rice
and washed daal with some fresh cottage cheese
and a little bit of butter provides a balanced
meal with carbohydrates and proteins. Light vegetables,
daal, or black chickpea soups are excellent for
keeping the body's nutritional levels up.

Fresh vegetables
are essential in proper nutrition

Sometimes
convincing patients and their carers of good
Ryles tube feeding practices and dispelling
unfounded beliefs becomes part of the job.
I have come across patients' family members
who refused to let their patients have turmeric
as they thought "yellow-coloured"
foods had to be avoided during jaundice. Turmeric
is, however, completely harmless and in fact
acts as a natural anti-biotic.

As health care professionals,
when we step inside the hospital for a day's work,
we keep in mind that cancer patients have a very
special need of empathy, good care, love and large
doses of motivating words. A good, nutritious
diet adds to the physical and mental strength
of patients.